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Oregon State Bar ‘white nationalism’ statement criticized Posted Apr 24, 2018 at 9:23 AM Updated Apr 24, 2018 at 9:23 AM PORTLAND (AP) — Two signed statements in the latest Oregon State Bar bulletin — one by the bar condemning speech that incites violence and the other by non-bar specialty groups decrying the rise of the white nationalist movement during President Donald Trump's time in office — have been criticized by some lawyers who say the bar shouldn't allow political statements. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the bar has approved partial refunds of bar dues for six lawyers who requested their money back. Spokeswoman Kateri Walsh said the bar stands by its own statement, but the refund will respond to the second statement that wasn't approved by state bar leadership. Leaders of the Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Oregon Filipino American Lawyers Association, Oregon chapter of the National Bar Association, Oregon Hispanic Bar Association, Oregon Women Lawyers, OGALLA-The LGBT Bar Association of Oregon and Oregon Minority Lawyers Association signed the supporting statement about white nationalists. West Linn lawyer Diane Gruber slammed the statements as "blatantly partisan" and in clear violation of a 1990 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Keller v. State Bar of California, which held that attorneys required to be members of a state bar association have a First Amendment right to refrain from subsidizing the organization's political or ideological activities. The Oregon State Bar is a government agency that regulates the legal profession in the state. It publishes a bulletin, a magazine that is mailed to members 10 times a year. Several lawyers demanded that the bar print a retraction. The Multnomah County Republican Party also sent the bar a letter, demanding that it "cease its partisan attacks against Trump. "The bar has no business taking its members' dues money to publish false claims that fringe racist groups constitute the 'base' of the president's support," wrote lawyer James Buchal, a member of the bar and chairman of the county GOP. Other bar members supported the statements. Portland attorney Eric E. Meyer, for example, applauded the bulletin for publishing a "strong statement against white nationalism" and said it's crucial for all attorneys as "guardians of justice" never to be "silent in the face of racism and hatred." Most Popular Medford gun supporters prepare for ballot showdown Apr 21 at 5:04 PM Police: Cat killed during fight between couple Apr 19 at 6:36 PM A long view of home Apr 19 at 6:56 PM Letters to the Editor, April 21 Apr 23 at 7:31 AM Ashland magician Harry Anderson went on to TV success Apr 18 at 5:42 PM Woman charged in $7,000 Victoria's Secret underwear theft Apr 20 at 4:58 PM Man sentenced for raping, assaulting wife Apr 20 at 7:14 AM Medford School District proposes 33 new positions Apr 19 at 7:18 AM Roller Derby benefits kids battling cancer Apr 20 at 5:32 PM Data breach or 'bogeyman'? Apr 23 at 7:32 AM Since You Asked: Abandoned house has been an eyesore for years Apr 18 at 2:01 AM Barry sisters continue rich North Medford softball tradition Apr 21 at 5:31 PM © Copyright 2006-2018 Rosebud Media LLC. All rights reserved. Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com ~ P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501